"Well, my offer is open to the rest of you girls," Rya said as she glanced at the other four ladies. However, she focused her attention on Jenelle Dravenhart and Serena von Maus, as they were the two she rembered having proper level Mana Veins. She also took note that Serena and her mother both had Mage Veins. So, these two were Rya's priority to win over than Julia Dusker or Aris Mardax. Not that Rya wasn't going to try her best to win them over, but she didn't rember seeing any Master Level Mana Veins or higher in their bodies. So they wouldn't benefit that much from monster slaying.
Jenelle's face had a blank look on it as she never considered growing her Mana Vein, mostly due to her father saying that it isn't her place to go out hunting and killing monsters. And Jenelle had always followed her father's orders.
"I don't know," Jenelle muttered, "My father never allows to leave the manor."
"Sooo, what is going to happen when you get married?" Rya asked.
"Huh? W-What do you an? I'll do what every wife should do, which is give birth to an heir, and take care of the household," Jenelle said as she was puzzled.
With that response, Rya realized that she was dealing with a sheltered girl. She probably doesn't have a clue about how to get pregnant, let alone have sex. 'Oh, boy... I need to help her think outside of the box or she won't learn to think for herself.'
"So, you rarely leave the manor or your ho? How about school? Where do you go?" Rya asked, wondering how sheltered this girl is.
"Well, I was ho-schooled by private tutors, and I only leave the house on occasion, usually for parties like this one," Jenelle replied.
"Alright, so your worth to yourself is if you can give birth to an heir, correct?" Rya asked.
"Y-Yes," Jenelle replied with a blush on her cheeks. She was feeling a bit embarrassed about this conversation. She felt like she was missing sothing, but she had no clue what it was.
"Okay! So, this is a hypothetical, and I'm not saying it will happen to you, but... What would happen if you suggested conceiving?" Rya asked.
"Uhhh..." Jenelle froze. She had never really considered that possibility. Surely that wouldn't happen to her, but she recalled one of her older cousins having trouble conceiving a child. It took her ten years before she had a daughter, and Jenelle thought nothing more about it.
"Or what if you only have daughters?" Constance chid in, making Jenelle pause for a mont.
"That's not possible. Right. Not that many won miscarry, right?" Jenelle said, trying to convince herself.
Rya felt bad about how naive Jenelle is. Hell, Rya wouldn't have known how common it was back on Earth if her girlfriend, at the ti, didn't play her favorite podcasts during breakfasts. It turns out that it was more common than she first believed, and it stuck with her how it was sothing they kept to themselves, as if it were so type of social stigma for them to fail to beco mothers or sothing worse.
Rya was about to respond when lanie Ingham stepped in.
"It's very common, unfortunately. The factors are unknown and happen before soone can prevent it. Usually, it's not the mother's fault. So doctors and alchemists think it happens simply due to complications or if a fetus is born with deformities. But, there is a theory that is still being researched to help us if we have trouble. Unfortunately, there isn't a foolproof elixir or dicine to have a healthy child," lanie said.
Jenelle looked like she had been hit with a ton of bricks. "Are you sure? I an, how many won have had trouble keeping a child?"
All the girls looked at each other like they couldn't believe that Jenelle didn't know about Rianna's troubles, and they slowly turned their heads until they all spotted the Queen, looking stoic as ever, staring down Leandra, who was looking a bit panicked. All the older won who were on Rianna's side looked at the Duchess in disgust. They didn't know what was said, but they were happy that the Queen wasn't giving them that stare.
Jenelle followed along, "Why are we looking at the Queen?"
"They said that the Queen wasn't worthy of marrying the Crown after miscarrying eight tis, even though the Iyolka's Idol showed favor to her. All hope was lost until she gave birth to Prince Quinus. Even during those trying tis, her husband always loved her... I can only hope that when I get married, my husband is one-tenth as compassionate as King Cyndre..." Julia Dusker muttered out as the rest of the girls nodded along.
Jenelle never thought that during her childhood. She couldn't understand why her parents would keep this from her. She was a bit younger than Quinus, so she never really sought out Rianna's history. Jenelle always thought that Rianna was perfect and only wanted one child for so reason. But now she understands that she has gone through a lot of pain and suffering to have a single child.
"Well... I'm sure my future husband will like if the worst cos to pass. We will adopt children if need be," Jenelle said with a bit of uncertainty.
The young won, including Rya, sighed in unison.
"Jenelle, you have to understand that not all n will accept a barren wife. Especially if they co from a wealthy house or one that is well-connected," Constance stated as the others nodded.
Jenelle didn't want to give up. So, she asked, "What about adopting children?"
"Well, I hope he loves you for who you are," Rya said with a sad tone.
"He will! Because I have... I have my knitting! A-And I—"
"Co on, Jenelle. You need more than that to woo a man," Constance sighed as the other won just shook their heads.
Jenelle didn't know what she ant by that, and Rya ca in to help her.
"Well, what are your hobbies?"
"I love knitting!" Jenelle exclaid, "I'm making a scarf for my future husband, but... I'm not currently engaged to anyone. So I'm not sure if it will be the right size. Oh! I also do needlepoint. It's the only way I can express my emotions without annoying anyone."
Rya gave a nervous chuckle, "Do you like reading books, or going on horseback rides, or walking around your parents' house and garden?"
Jenelle shook her head, "My father says that it isn't my place to go walking in the gardens or go near the stables, and I'm only allowed to read books on proper etiquette and needlepoint patterns. I don't know why so people love reading books, because they get boring after rereading them for the fifth ti in a row."
The other girls sighed in exasperation while Rya could only shake her head.
"So... What do you do for fun?"
"Fun?"
"You know, sothing you enjoy doing."
"I enjoy knitting and needlepoint."
"Anything else?"
Jenelle wasn't used to having anyone talk to her for this long before. Even the few tis she's run into Constance, lanie, or any other girls her age wouldn't have lasted this long.
"W-Well... I don't have anything else... Don't you all do the sa thing?" Jenelle asked, glancing around at the other girls.
This ti, everyone had pity in their eyes.
"No, no, we don't," Constance stated while shaking her head.
"What do you all do for fun then?" Jenelle asked curiously.
"Well, for starters, I enjoy riding horses, walking through the garden, going to the beach, having tea ti, and just hanging out with my friends. Sotis I like to read a good book or go to the theater when the Actors Guild cos into town," Constance answered.
Jenelle had a perplexed look on her face as she listened to Constance. She was about to speak, but she stopped herself and remained silent.
Rya sighed, "Jenelle?... I know this might be an embarrassing question, but do you know how babies are conceived? Like, where do they co from?"
Jenelle tilted her head, "No?... When I asked my mother, she would tell to talk to Father. And when I would talk to my father about it, he would tell that whoever my husband is will tell all about it and not to ask him again."
Serena, Aris, and Julia all grimaced from second-hand embarrassnt, while Constance looked dumbfounded. Even the ever stoic lanie couldn't hide her surprise, as her eyebrows raised.
'Holy shit! This girl needs help more than I thought. And I'm just the person to do it.'
lanie and Constance were about to make a smartass remark, but were halted when they heard.
*Clap! Clap!*
Everyone turned to look at Rya after she clapped her hands to get everyone's attention.
"Alright! This is an intervention! It seems that Jenelle has a lot of things to learn about the outside world. So, starting now, we will all be gathering at the palace to have so tea parties, develop your Mana Veins, and have so fun learning things. That includes you three as well," Rya stated as she pointed to Serena, Aris, and Julia.
"You really are okay with having private parties with Minor Nobles?... I-I don't think we are worth—"
"Oh, co on, Serena. You are a lovely girl. Plus, you have a lot of potential if you just try harder," Rya replied with a smile.
Serena von Maus was confused by Rya's statent. No one outside of her family has told her that she had potential before. And yet, here is a person she just t telling her that she has potential. It left her with a strange feeling inside her chest, a sensation she couldn't quite understand. Was it pride, confidence? She didn't know.
"O-Oh, um, thank you, Lady Rya," Serena replied bashfully.
"No problem!" Rya exclaid cheerfully with her hands on her hips, which made her shawl open up to reveal her large bust.
The girls were surprised by how big they were, and so of them wished theirs could get as big as hers when they start developing their mana veins.
'Goddess be damned. If I can get as half as big as the princess's, then Mitchell will be mine!' Constance thought to herself.
'If I can have the sa body type as Princess Rya, then I will have every man wanting ,' Aris thought to herself.
'I knew they looked big, but those things are ridiculous! They don't seem to be sagging at all! How is that possible?' Serena von Maus wondered.
'Hm?... Those things must be so annoying. I'm glad I'm not that big,' lanie thought to herself.
Jenelle was the only one to have a worried look written on her face.
"What's the matter, Jenelle?" Rya asked.
"Uh... W-Well, I don't know if my father will ap—"
Rya raised her hand to halt her.
"Let handle your parents, Jenelle. They are stagnating your growth. You need to be more social, not cooped up in your room all day and night," Rya stated.
"But—"
"No buts, Jenelle. This will benefit you in the long run. I'm not asking you to stop knitting. I'm just asking you to socialize more to expand your horizon," Rya interjected.
"... Alright, I'll give it a try, Lady Rya," Jenelle answered reluctantly.
"Good! I'm glad to make new friends. I can't believe how anxious I was before this party. But, now, I'm glad I took the chance," Rya stated.
The girls all smiled. They thought Dark Elves were evil, but Rya is proving them wrong. She was actually nice and friendly.
"Hey! Do you like babes? Lady Katie Clents brought her baby boy to the party, and he's adorable!" Aris exclaid. Julia, Serena, and Jenelle got excited at the ntion of a baby. lanie and Constance were interested, but their reactions were a bit more subdued.
"Oh yeah... I forgot that she was pregnant. Might as well we say hello to the new mother," lanie said in a nonchalant tone.
"Aw! How are you so calm and collected, lanie?" Julia asked.
"I'm from a Major House, Julia. I have to act accordingly. I can't be too childish, after all," lanie explained.
"Pfffttt... You're 21, lanie. Act like one," Serena stated with her arms crossed. She was getting so comfortable around everyone that she forgot her station in the group.
"I'll take that under advisent..." lanie answered softly.
"I guess that's the best we can ask for. Co on, let's go et the little guy," Serena exclaid.
Rya looked at Nieren, who nodded at her. 'Well... I suppose I should get used to babies... But I don't know why so chicks are into those things. They're just slobbering, disease-infested magnets. What's so cute about them? I can't see it... I'm glad that's one thing that did change about . I an... I was born a dude, so it's only natural that I find babies off-putting... Haah... But I'd better make an effort. I can't alienate myself from mothers. And babies don't stay babies forever... Right?' Rya thought.
"Rya? Is sothing wrong?" Nieren asked.
"Huh? Oh, I'm not a baby person. But I'll try getting used to them. Especially if I'm going to have one at so point in my life, let's go. We shouldn't leave our guests waiting," Rya stated.
Nieren chuckled at Rya. 'Sis is weird sotis. Babies aren't that bad... I wonder who I will have a child with... I an, Rya will be queen at so point. And I'll be her retainer and lady-in-waiting... Or maybe I will beco a duchess. That's the second-highest rank below a queen. Hmmm... That ans I will be close to my Prince—Rah! Not now, Nieren! Now's not the ti to be thinking about him. But he's so charming and handso... and his voice is just so dreamy... M-Maybe I will find soone similar to him at so point in my life. Soone who's brave and strong and smart... Hahhh... Sis is right, though. I daydream too much. I'll focus on the task at hand.'
Everyone slowly weaved through the crowd of Noblewon until they reached the corner of the ballroom, where a few mothers with newborns were.
***
While Rya, Nieren, and her new friends were having their conversations before going to see the babies. Tayna was wandering through the hallways of the Divalo Manor with a half-dazed Alia Dule being towed behind her.
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